On the morning of September 16, 2025, a routine court session at High Court No. 2, Bungoma Law Courts was abruptly disrupted when a firearm belonging to a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer accidentally discharged. The unexpected shot injured five people — among them the officer, a Kenya Prisons Service officer, and three civilians.
What Happened
Around 10:30–10:50 a.m., during the hearing of a criminal matter, the DCI officer’s Ceska pistol discharged a single round of ammunition. The bullet ricocheted, striking the officer himself (hip wound), a prison officer (chin, hip), and three members of the public. All injured were taken to Bungoma Referral Hospital.
There were no fatalities, and medical reports describe the injuries as stable/minor, with no life-threatening wounds being reported
Court operations were temporarily suspended; the premises were secured; court users were evacuated and reassured by the Judiciary and the police.
Immediate Reactions & Official Response
The Judiciary spokesperson Paul Ndemo affirmed that there was no cause for alarm, emphasizing that court officials and members of the public remain safe. The DCI identified the officer involved as Police Constable Cornellious Murey.
The County security team visited the courts to assess safety, and investigations were launched into what led to the accidental discharge.
Why This Incident Matters
This kind of unexpected discharge in a courtroom setting raises critical questions:
Protocol and Firearm Safety – How rigorous are the rules governing when and where law enforcement officers may carry firearms in courtrooms? Are there standardized procedures for safekeeping, handling, and securing weapons in such sensitive environments?
Accountability – In a situation labelled ‘accidental’, it is important to fully investigate whether any negligence or procedural lapses contributed. Who is responsible for storing or handling the firearm? Was the safety mechanism engaged? Was there any prior training lapse?
Public Trust and Perception – Courtrooms are venues where justice is administered and where people expect safety and order. Such incidents threaten public confidence — both in the integrity of judicial processes and in law enforcement’s capacity to handle their arms responsibly.
Safety of Court Users – Beyond officials, staff, lawyers, litigants, and other members of the public deserve to have confidence that visiting a courtroom is safe. Physical injury is one concern; psychological impact (fear, distress) is also real.
Lessons & Recommendations Moving Forward
Based on available reporting and what is known from similar incidents, here are some suggestions for preventing recurrence:
Strict Firearm Storage and Handling Rules
All firearms carried by officers attending court should have clear handling procedures: safety catches engaged, weapons holstered unless expressly needed, possibly even disarmed except under certain security roles.
Training and Refresher Courses
Regular competency training for officers on firearm safety, particularly in environments like courts where many non-combatants are present.
Clear Access Controls
Only accredited security personnel should be allowed with firearms inside courtrooms. All others (officers not in active security roles) may need to surrender weapons before entering courtrooms or have holstered/secured firearms.
Incident Reporting & Transparency
Prompt and thorough investigations must follow, with reports made public as appropriate. Independent oversight (e.g. through IPOA in Kenya) is critical to maintain trust.
Review of Courtroom Infrastructure & Security
Assess whether ballistic protection (e.g. in bulletproof glass barriers), proper layout, and emergency procedures (evacuation, medical response) are in place in all courtrooms.
Conclusion
The Bungoma Law Courts accidental shooting is a stark reminder that even in settings devoted to law and order, accidents with grave potential consequences can happen. Thankfully in this case, injuries appear to be non-fatal, and those affected are in stable condition. But the risks are clear, and so must be the response: serious review, accountability, and durable reform. Justice must not only be administered; it must also be safe.
